Vibration dampening compositions and methods thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods to improve the dampening characteristics of compositions and the improved compositions. The compositions made by the method comprises a polymer system selected from the group consisting of immiscible polymer blends, miscible polymer blends, copolymers, thermoplastic polymers and thermosetting polymers, and a block copolymer comprising: at least one block derived from aromatic vinyl units and at least one block derived from at least isoprene and a vinyl aromatic monomer and optionally butadiene, and having a glass transition temperature of at least 10° C.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/592,702 filed on Jun. 13, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to compositions having enhanced vibrationdampening properties and methods to improve the vibration dampeningproperties of compositions.

[0003] The invention also relates to articles formed out of thecompositions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0004] One relatively recent focus in the automobile industry has beenthe control and, preferably, the elimination of noise occurring as theresult of the vibration of automobile body panels. To this end,important reductions in automobile noise levels have been achieved bythe vibration damping of automobile body panels such as instrumentpanels, floor panels, door panels, roof panels, and fender panels, amongothers. To effectuate vibration damping, compositions containing fillersdispersed in binders have been widely used to coat metallic surfaces ofautomobile body panels to provide the desired vibration damping and/orsound deadening. For example, sheet materials of heat softenablecompositions including asphalt, fillers and natural and/or syntheticelastomers have been used for sound deadening.

[0005] With the wide acceptance of plastic resins in the automobileindustry for weight reduction, part consolidation, and recyclecapability combined with the ever increasing demand for the increasednoise management, there is a continuing need for new methods andcompositions for noise control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The needs discussed above have been generally satisfied by thediscovery of a composition comprising:

[0007] (a) a polymer system selected from the group consisting ofimmiscible polymer blends, miscible polymer blends, copolymers,thermoplastic polymers and thermosetting polymers, and

[0008] (b) a block copolymer comprising:

[0009] (i) at least one block derived from aromatic vinyl units and

[0010] (ii) at least one block having a glass transition temperature ofat least about 10° C. derived from at least isoprene and vinyl aromaticmonomers, optionally with butadiene.

[0011] Component (b)(i) is preferably derived from at least one ofstyrene and α-methylstyrene and component (b)(ii) is preferably derivedfrom at least one of styrene and α-methylstyrene combined with isoprene.The polymer system is preferably comprises at least one of polyphenyleneether resin, polyamide resin, polystyrene resin,poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resins, polycarbonate resin, andpolyester resin.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the invention affords a method forenhancing the vibration dampening characteristics of composition,wherein the method comprises:

[0013] (a) a polymer system selected from the group consisting ofimmiscible polymer blends, miscible polymer blends, copolymers,thermoplastic polymers and thermosetting polymers, and

[0014] (b) a block copolymer comprising:

[0015] (i) at least one block derived from aromatic vinyl units and

[0016] (ii) at least one block having a glass transition temperature ofat least about 10° C. derived from at least isoprene and vinyl aromaticmonomers, optionally with butadiene.

[0017] Articles made from the improved compositions as well as articlesthat utilize the method for enhancing the vibration dampeningcharacteristics are included within the scope of the invention. Thedescription that follows provides further details regarding variousembodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

[0018]FIG. 1 contains a graphical depiction of the improved tangentdelta using Example-2 from Table 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] There is no limitation with respect to the immiscible polymerblends, miscible polymer blends, copolymers, thermoplastic polymers orthermosetting polymers (hereinafter all referred to as polymer systems)employed in this instant invention other than that they are able to forma composition with the block copolymer described above. Illustrativeexamples of the polymer blends that may be employed in this inventioninclude any of those, for instance, which comprise polyphenylene ethersin combination with polyamides, polyolefins, polyarylene sulfides,polyesters, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymers, polystyrenes, orpolyetherimides. Polycarbonates in combination withpoly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resins or polyesters likepoly(butylene terephthalate) may also be employed. The preferredthermoplastic polymers employed in this invention include homopolymersof polyarylene sulfides such as polyphenylene sulfide, polyetherimides,polysulfones including polyether sulfones,poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resins, polystyrene resinsincluding rubber modified polystyrenes and syndiotactic polystyrenes,polycarbonates, e.g., bisphenol A polycarbonates, polyolefins,polyamides, polyesters such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) andpoly(butylene terephthalate) as well as unfunctionalized polyphenyleneether homopolymers, unfunctionalized polyphenylene ether copolymers andfunctionalized polyphenylene ether homopolymers and copolymers.Especially preferred are (i) compositions containing at least onepolyphenylene ether resin and at least one polyamide resin, and (ii)compositions containing at least one polyamide resin.

[0020] The thermosetting polymers are not limited and often includeresins such as, for example, epoxy, phenolic, alkyds, polyester,polyimide, polyurethane, mineral filled silicone, bis-maleimides,cyanate esters, vinyl, and benzocyclobutene resins. The thermosettingcomponents, such as those described above, may be used either alone orin combination with one another or with one or more thermoplasticpolymers. In a preferred embodiment, the thermosetting polymer is usedto impregnate suitable fibrous reinforcing materials, such as glassfiber cloth and/or chopped glass fibers, and/or various mineral fillersand reinforcing materials.

[0021] It is noted herein that any of the polymers employed in thisinvention, which are used to form the immiscible blends, miscible blendsor copolymers, may be unfunctionalized or functionalized in the typicalways known in the art. Such functionalization is not limited and caninclude, for instance, functionalization with citric acid, maleicanhydride, fumaric acid, epoxides, trimellitic acid chloride anhydride,α- or β-unsaturated amides or lactams and the like provided that apolymer composition can be formed.

[0022] The polyphenylene ether polymers that may be employed in thisinvention often include both homopolymer and copolymer polyphenyleneethers. Suitable homopolymers are those which contain, for example,2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether units. Suitable copolymers include, forinstance, graft, block, or random copolymers containing such units incombination with 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether units. Such polymeris typically prepared by oxidative coupling at least one correspondingmonohydroxyaromatic compound. Moreover, any of the conventionalpolyphenylene ether impact modifiers/additives may be employed in thisinvention.

[0023] A preferred polymer systems that may be employed in thisinvention include those comprising polyphenylene ethers and polyamides,e.g., those containing at least one of polyamides 4/6, 6, 6/6, 11, 12,6/3, 6/4, 6/10, 6/12 and nylon compounds comprising aromatic groupsderived from terephthalates and isophthalates. They may be produced byany conventional method satisfactorily employed in the art. Generally,however, melt blending methods are desired. It is generally preferredfor the polyphenylene ether to be in a dispersed phase within thepolyamide phase. A more detailed and typical description of theproduction of polyphenylene ether/polyamide polymer systems that may beemployed in this invention is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,826,933 and5,886,094, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference.

[0024] Additionally, it is noted herein that the polyamides are intendedas an embodiment of the present invention. Typical polyamides employedinclude polyamides 4/6, 6, 6/6, 11, 12, 6/3, 6/4, 6/10, 6/12 and nyloncompounds comprising aromatic groups derived from terephthalates andisophthalates. Also included are reinforced polyamides, e.g., thosecontaining glass fibers and/or mineral reinforcing agents.

[0025] Still other preferred polymer systems which may be employed inthis invention include those comprising polyphenylene ether andpolyesters. Such polymer systems are typically prepared by melt blendingpolyphenylene ethers with polyesters such as poly(ethyleneterephthalate), poly(butylene terephthalate), liquid crystallinepolyesters, poly(butylene naphthalenedicarboxylate) and poly(ethylenenaphthalenedicarboxylate). A typical process for such is described indetail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,667, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

[0026] Additional preferred polymer systems that may be employed in thisinvention include those that comprise polyphenylene ethers andpolyarylene sulfides such as polyphenylene sulfide. Such polymer systemsare prepared, for instance, by the reaction of epoxy functionalizedpolyphenylene ether compositions with polyphenylene sulfide containingepoxide-reactive functional groups. A detailed description of suchpreparation may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,578, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

[0027] Additional preferred polymer systems that may be employed in thisinvention include those that comprise polyphenylene ethers andpolyolefins, e.g., polypropylene or polyethylene. These compositions areknown in the art as are their methods of preparation.

[0028] The block copolymers of the invention may be represented ashaving sequences of A-(BA)n or (AB)n, wherein A represents a blockconsisting of at least one aromatic vinyl monomer, B represent a blockconsisting of comprising isoprene and aromatic vinyl units, and n is aninteger of one or more. There is no upper limit of n, but n ispreferably 10 or less. When n is 1, the block copolymer is a tri-blockA-B-A or a di-block A-B copolymer. Mixtures of block copolymers, e.g.,mixtures of tri-block and di-block are also useful and in some instancespreferred.

[0029] The first component of the block copolymers are anionicpolymerizable aromatic vinyl monomers such as styrene, 1-vinylnaphthalene, 2-vinylnaphthalene, 3-methylstyrene, 4-propylstyrene,4-cyclohexylstyrene, 4-dodecylstyrene, 2-ethyl-4-benzylstyrene,4-(phenylbutyl)styrene and the like, and more preferably styrene,α-methyl styrene, or mixtures thereof.

[0030] The second component of the block copolymers are polymerizablearomatic vinyl monomers in combination with isoprene orisoprene-butadiene. From the view of the dampening effect, the peaktemperature of main variance of the tan delta (loss tangent) obtained byvisco-elasticity measurement of this second component needs to be notless than about 25° C., preferably not less about 30° C., mostpreferably not less than about 35° C. When the peak temperature is lessthan about 25° C., sufficient dampening property is generally notobtained.

[0031] The polymerizable aromatic vinyl monomers include, e.g., styrene,1-vinylnaphthalene, 2-vinylnaphthalene, 3-methylstyrene,4-propylstyrene, 4-cyclohexylstyrene, 4-dodecylstyrene,2-ethyl-4-benzylstyrene, 4-(phenylbutyl)styrene and the like, and ispreferably styrene, α-methyl styrene, or mixtures thereof.

[0032] The weight ratios of the polymerizable aromatic vinyl monomers,e.g., styrene, with isoprene or isoprene-butadiene can vary widely,provided that the glass transition temperature or Tg of the block in thecopolymer is greater than 10° C., preferably greater than about 15° C.,more preferably greater than about 20° C. In a preferred embodiment, theTg of the block in the block copolymer is between 10° C. and about 80°C., preferably between about 15° C. and about 70° C. The polymerizablearomatic vinyl monomer content in the second component of the blockcopolymer is sufficient to increase the Tg to within the desired rangeyet is kept low enough for desirable elastomeric properties to remain inthe block copolymer. For example, when a isoprene-butadiene combinationis utilized in the absence of a polymerizable aromatic vinyl monomer, anisoprene content of less than about 40% by weight results in a Tg ofless than about 0° C. A polymerizable aromatic vinyl monomer can beadded as a comonomer to the same weight ratio of isoprene-butadiene toresult in a Tg of at least 10° C., preferably of at least 15° C., withsufficient retention of other desired properties in the block copolymer.An exact amount of polymerizable aromatic vinyl monomer can be readilydetermined by the skilled artisan based upon the properties desired inthe block copolymer without undue experimentation. In a preferredembodiment, the amount of polymerizable aromatic vinyl monomer in thesecond component of the block copolymer is less than about 40% byweight, preferably less than about 30% by weight of the isoprene orisoprene-butadiene utilized.

[0033] Any type of copolymerization structure of the monomers used incomponent b (ii), such as random, block, or tapered, can be applicable,although random is generally preferred. The carbon-carbon double bondsin the blocks containing isoprene or isoprene-butadiene units may bepartially hydrogenated. The block copolymers composed of blocks in whicha part of carbon-carbon double bonds are hydrogenated have the featuresof improved heat-resistance and weatherability. The hydrogenation ratemay be selected according to the needs of heat-resistance andweatherability, normally 50% or more, preferably 70% or more, and morepreferably 80% or more in the case of higher needs.

[0034] The number average molecular weight of the block copolymers isgenerally in the range of about 30,000 to about 300,000. When themolecular weight is less than 30,000, the block copolymers have inferiormechanical properties, such as tenacity and elongation at breakage. Whenthe molecular weight is more than 300,000, the processability declines.From these points, the number average molecular weight of the blockcopolymers is preferably in the range of about 80,000 to about 250,000.

[0035] The number average molecular weight of aromatic vinyl block, i.e.component b (i) above, is generally in the range of about 2500 to about50,000. When it is less than about 2500, the mechanical properties ofthe block copolymers decline, and when it is more than about 50,000, themelt viscosity becomes too high and the thermoplasticity is unfavorablydegraded.

[0036] The proportion of aromatic vinyl blocks (component b (i)) in theblock polymers is preferably 5 to 50% by weight. When the proportion isless than 5% by weight, the strength of the block copolymers becomesunsatisfactory, and when the proportion is more than 50% by weight, theprocessing becomes difficult due to an extreme increase in meltviscosity and the vibration-damping properties undesirably deteriorated.In a preferred embodiment, the proportion of aromatic vinyl blocks inthe block polymers is preferably 15 to 35% by weight.

[0037] The number average molecular weight of component b(ii), the blockcomprising polymerized aromatic vinyl monomers with isoprene orisoprene-butadiene, is preferably in the range of 10,000 to 200,000.When the molecular weight is less than about 10,000, the blockcopolymers lose in rubber elasticity, and when the molecular weight ismore than about 200,000, the block copolymers degrade in processabilitydue to an extreme increase in melt viscosity.

[0038] The block copolymers can be obtained by methods generally knownin the art such as copolymerization in an inert solvent using a lithiumcatalyst or Ziegler type catalyst, such as the methods described in U.P.Pat. No. 4,987,194.

[0039] The block copolymer is present in the compositions in amounteffective to improve the dampening characteristics of the polymer blendsystem, preferably as measured by dynamic mechanical analysis at 10 Hzat temperatures in excess of about 100° C. It is often no more thanabout 40% by weight, i.e. between about 1 and 40% by weight, andpreferably no more than about 30% by weight, i.e. between about 1 and30% by weight, based upon the weight of the entire composition.

[0040] Compositions of the present invention can also include effectiveamounts of at least one additive selected from the group consisting offlame retardants, drip retardants, dyes, pigments, colorants,reinforcing agents, fillers, glass fibers, carbon fibers, carbonfibrils, stabilizers, antistatic agents, plasticizers and lubricants.These additives are known in the art, as are their effective levels andmethods of incorporation. Effective amounts of the additives varywidely, but they are usually present in an amount from about 0.1% to 50%by weight, based on the weight of the entire composition.

[0041] The preparation of the compositions of the present invention isnormally achieved by merely blending the ingredients under conditionsfor the formation of an intimate blend. Such conditions often includemixing in single or twin screw type extruders or similar mixing devicesthat can apply a shear to the components. It is often advantageous toapply a vacuum to the melt through a vent port in the extruder to removevolatile impurities in the composition.

[0042] All of the ingredients may be added initially to the processingsystem, or else certain additives may be precompounded with each otheror with one of the primary components. In some embodiments certainproperties, such as impact strength and elongation, are sometimesenhanced by initially utilizing such precompounding. While separateextruders may be used in the processing, these compositions may also beprepared by using a single extruder having multiple feed ports along itslength to accommodate the addition of the various components. It is alsosometimes advantageous to employ at least one vent port in each sectionbetween the feed ports to allow venting (either atmospheric or vacuum)of the melt. Those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to adjustblending times and temperatures, as well as component addition, withoutundue experimentation.

[0043] It should also be clear that improved molded articles preparedfrom the compositions of the present invention represent an additionalembodiment of this invention.

[0044] All patents and references cited herein are hereby incorporatedby reference.

[0045] The following examples are provided to illustrate someembodiments of the present invention. They are not intended to limit theinvention in any aspect. All percentages are by weight based on thetotal weight of the entire composition unless otherwise indicated andall parts are parts by weight.

EXAMPLES

[0046] Exemplary conditions and procedures used in the manufacture ofcompositions of the present invention are as follows. The ingredientsare compounded in a twin-screw extruder with temperature settings overthe length of the extruder between about 280 and about 310° C. The screwspeed is about 300 rpm, the throughput about 10 kilograms per hour. Allpolymeric ingredients are generally fed at the throat of the extruderwith the glass fiber fed into a downstream port. The strands coming fromthe extruder are pelletized and dried for about 3 hours at about 110° C.The dried pellets are injection molded into standard ASTM test specimensfor measurement of physical properties. Test specimens were evaluatedwith a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer at 10 Hz to determine the dampeningcharacteristics.

[0047] Illustrative compositions of the present invention generallycontain the following materials and are provided as parts by weight:

[0048] PPE: a poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) with an intrinsicviscosity of 40 ml/g as measured in toluene at 25° C. and aconcentration of 0.6 gram per 100 ml;

[0049] Nylon 6,6: polyamide 6,6

[0050] CAH: citric acid hydrate

[0051] Glass: chopped glass fiber

[0052] VS-1 polystyrene-polyisoprene-polystyrene (A-B-A) block copolymerobtained from Kuraray Co., Ltd, under the tradename HYBRAR having aglass transition temperature, as determined by DSC at 10° C./min undernitrogen, of 8° C. and an endblock styrene content of 20 weight percent.

[0053] 17° Tg block an A-(A/B)-A block copolymer having a glasstransition temperature as determined by DSC at 10° C./min under nitrogenof 17° C. and an endblock styrene content of 20 weight percent.

[0054] 34° Tg block an A-(A/B)-A block copolymer having a glasstransition temperature, as measured as determined by DSC at 10° C./minunder nitrogen of 34° C. and an endblock styrene content of 20 weightpercent.

[0055] 40° Tg block an A-(A/B)-A block copolymer having a glasstransition temperature, as determined by DSC at 10° C./min undernitrogen of 40° C. and an endblock styrene content of 20 weight percent.

[0056] Dampening is characterized by a high value of tangent delta(E″/E′) as measured by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and averagedover a range of temperatures. Table 1 shows the results utilizinghigher-Tg block copolymers. The controls (C-1 and C-2) are materialsexemplified U.S. Pat. No. 5,886,094 as compared to illustrative examplesof the present invention utilizing higher Tg block copolymers. Thehigher Tg copolymers unexpectedly resulted in compositions having highervalues of tangent delta at temperatures above 100° C. (E-1, E-2, E-3).This result is surprising because the Tg of the block copolymers isstill well below 100° C. so one would not expect to see an effect abovethis temperature. TABLE 1 C-1 C-2 E-1 E-2 E-3 PPE 12 18 12 18 12 Nylon66 41.5 30.5 41.5 30.5 41.5 Citric acid 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 VS-1 10 15 00 0 17° Tg block 0 0 10 15 0 34° Tg block 0 0 0 0 10 Glass fiber 34 3434 34 34 Tan delta*100 (20-60° C.) 2.9 3.8 2.9 3.6 1.7 Tan Delta*100(60-100° C.) 4.4 4.3 5 4.9 4.3 Tan delta*100 (100-140° C.) 3 3 4.4 5 4.6

[0057] It should be clear that in one embodiment, the invention providesa method to improve the dampening characteristics, as measured by tandelta using dynamic mechanical analysis at 10 Hz, over the temperaturerange of 100-140° C. of a composition by at least 10%, preferably by atleast 20%, most preferably by at least 30%, with a block copolymerhaving a Tg of a least 10° C., preferably of at least 15° C., mostpreferably of at least 20° C., as described herein over the samecomposition using only a block copolymer having a Tg of less than 10° C.

[0058] In some cases, it may be advantageous to blend block copolymershaving different Tg's. However, the effects of adding the combination oftwo or more block copolymers are different than those that would beexpected from the results shown in Table 1. One would not expect addingrelatively small amounts of a block copolymer having a Tg over 10° C. toa composition containing a block copolymer having a Tg lower than 10° C.to have a significant effect on tangent delta performance of theresultant composition over the temperature range of 100-140° C. However,as illustrated with the examples in Table 2 as compared to the controlsC-1 and C-2, it was unexpectedly found that the higher Tg blockcopolymer can be added in amounts effective to increase the dampeningcharacteristics over the desired 100-140° C. temperature range. Theseresults are especially surprising as the dampening characteristicsobtained in examples E-4 to E-6 in the temperature range below 100° C.was not improved over the controls C-I and C-2. TABLE 2 E-4 E-5 E-6 PPE12 12 12 Nylon 66 41.5 41.5 41.5 Citric acid 0.9 0.9 0.9 VS-1 5 5 5 17°Tg block 5 0 0 34° Tg block 0 5 0 40° Tg block 0 0 5 Glass fiber 34 3434 Tan delta*100 (20-60° C.) 2.6 2.4 0.7 Tan delta*100 (60-100° C.) 4.14 3.9 Tan delta*100 (100-140° C.) 3.1 3.4 4.9

[0059] It should be clear that in one embodiment, the invention providesa method to improve the dampening characteristics, as measured by tandelta using dynamic mechanical analysis at 10 Hz, over the temperaturerange of 100-140° C. of a composition by at least 10%, preferably by atleast 20%, most preferably by at least 30%, with a combination of blockcopolymers wherein at least one has a Tg of a least 10° C., preferablyof at least 15° C., most preferably of at least 20° C. and at least onehas a Tg of less than 10° C., as described herein over the samecomposition using only a block copolymer having a Tg of a less than 10°C.

[0060] This invention provides improved dampening as measured by DMA at10 Hz over a range of temperatures. In particular, dampening is improvedat temperatures above 100° C. This improvement is gained using blockcopolymers having a glass-transition temperature above 10° C.

1. A composition comprising: (a) a polymer system selected from thegroup consisting of immiscible polymer blends containing polyamides,miscible polymer blends containing polyamides, and polyamides, and (b) ablock copolymer comprising: (i) at least one block derived from aromaticvinyl units and (ii) at least one block derived from at least isopreneand a vinyl aromatic monomer and having a glass transition temperatureof at least 10° C.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the polymersystem further comprises at least one of polystyrene resin,poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resins, polyetherimide resin,polysulfone resin, polycarbonate resin, and polyester resin.
 3. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the polymer system comprises acompatibilized composition of at least one polyphenylene ether resin andat least one polyamide resin.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein theblock copolymer is functionalized with at least one moiety selected fromthe group consisting of anhydride, epoxy, carboxylic acid, amino, orthoester, oxazoline, and hydroxyl.
 5. The composition of claim 1, whereinthe block copolymer has a glass transition temperature of at least about15° C.
 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein component (b)(i) isderived from at least one of styrene and α-methylstyrene.
 7. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein component (b)(ii) is derived from atleast one of styrene and α-methylstyrene.
 8. The composition of claim 1,wherein component (b)(ii) is derived from at least styrene and isoprene.9. The composition of claim 1, wherein component (b)(ii) is furtherderived from butadiene.
 10. The composition of claim 9, whereincomponent (b)(ii) is at least partially hydrogenated.
 11. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the block copolymer has a number averagemolecular weight between about 30,000 to about 300,000.
 12. Thecomposition of claim 1, further comprising at least one of glass fibers,carbon fibers, carbon fibrils, minerals, flame retardants, antioxidants,and lubricants.
 13. The composition of claim 1, wherein the blockcopolymer is present in amount effective to improve the dampeningcharacteristics of the polymer blend system as measured by dynamicmechanical analysis at 10 Hz.
 14. The composition of claim 1, whereinthe block copolymer is present in an amount effective to improve thedampening characteristics of the polymer blend system as measured bydynamic mechanical analysis at 10 Hz at temperatures in excess of about100° C.
 15. The composition of claim 1, wherein the block copolymer ispresent in an amount from about 1 percent by weight to about 30 percentby weight based on the weight of the entire composition.
 16. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the polyamide is functionalized with atleast one moiety selected from the group consisting of citric acid,maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, epoxides, trimellitic acid anhydride,alpha- or beta-unsaturated amides and lactams.
 17. The composition ofclaim 1, wherein component (b)(ii) has a tan delta, wherein a peaktemperature of main variance of the tan delta is not less than about 25°C.
 18. A composition comprising a blend of: (a) a polymer systemcomprising a thermosetting polymer, and (b) a block copolymercomprising: (i) at least one block derived from aromatic vinyl units and(ii) at least one block derived from at least isoprene and a vinylaromatic monomer and having a glass transition temperature of at least10° C.
 19. The composition of claim 18, wherein the polymer systemfurther comprises at least one of polystyrene resin,poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resins, polyetherimide resin,polysulfone resin, polycarbonate resin, and polyester resin.
 20. Thecomposition of claim 18, wherein the polymer system comprises acompatibilized composition of at least one polyphenylene ether resin andat least one polyamide resin.
 21. The composition of claim 18, furthercomprising at least one of glass fibers, carbon fibers, carbon fibrils,minerals, flame retardants, antioxidants, and lubricants.
 22. Thecomposition of claim 18, wherein the thermosetting polymer is selectedfrom the group consisting of epoxy, phenolic, alkyds, polyester,polyimide, polyurethane, mineral filled silicone, bis-maleimides,cyanate esters, vinyl, and benzocyclobutene resins.
 23. The compositionof claim 18, wherein the thermosetting polymer is functionalized with atleast one moiety selected from the group consisting of citric acid,maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, epoxides, trimellitic acid anhydride,alpha- or beta-unsaturated amides and lactams.
 24. The composition ofclaim 18, wherein component (b)(ii) has a tan delta, wherein a peaktemperature of main variance of the tan delta is not less than about 25°C.
 25. An article molded from a composition comprising a blend of: (a) apolymer system comprising a thermosetting polymer, and (b) a blockcopolymer comprising: (i) at least one block derived from aromatic vinylunits and (ii) at least one block derived from at least isoprene and avinyl aromatic monomer and having a glass transition temperature of atleast 10° C.
 26. The article of claim 25, wherein the polymer systemfurther comprises at least one of polystyrene resin,poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resins, polyetherimide resin,polysulfone resin, polycarbonate resin, and polyester resin.
 27. Thearticle of claim 25, wherein the polymer system comprises acompatibilized composition of at least one polyphenylene ether resin andat least one polyamide resin.
 28. The article of claim 25, wherein theblock copolymer is functionalized with at least one moiety selected fromthe group consisting of anhydride, epoxy, carboxylic acid, amino, orthoester, oxazoline, and hydroxyl.
 29. The article of claim 25, wherein thethermosetting polymer is selected from the group consisting of epoxy,phenolic, alkyds, polyester, polyimide, polyurethane, mineral filledsilicone, bis-maleimides, cyanate esters, vinyl, and benzocyclobuteneresins.
 30. The article of claim 25, wherein the thermosetting polymeris functionalized with at least one moiety selected from the groupconsisting of citric acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, epoxides,trimellitic acid anhydride, alpha- or beta-unsaturated amides andlactams.
 31. The article of claim 25, wherein component (b)(ii) has atan delta, wherein a peak temperature of main variance of the tan deltais not less than about 25° C.